The Nature of Man
The nature of men and women—how they came to be, what hap-
pened to change them from having been created "very good" (Gen.
1:31), their restoration, and their ultimate destiny—is becoming in-
creasingly important as we near the second coming of Christ. Much
confusion exists about this important subject, and it is the purpose of
this quarter's guide to focus on what the Scripture teaches.
Humankind did not spring out of nature by some natural evolu-
tionary process, for according to Genesis, the creation of human
beings is attributed directly to God. Men and women were created
and formed by Him (Gen. 1:27; 2:7, 8). Also, while the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit
(Elohim,
plural for God) were involved in the crea-
tion process (Gen. 1:2, 26), Jesus was more directly involved. "All
things were made through Him. . . . " (John 1:3, NKJV).
Even though there exists a close relationship between humans
and nature, in contrast, humans were created in the image of God
(Gen. 1:27), distinct and unique, with the capacity to "think God's
thoughts after Him"
(Education,
p. 17). People were of more value to
Jesus than the birds and the beasts (Matt. 10:31; 12:12). He saw them
as sons and daughters of God first by creation (Luke 3:38) and then
by redemption (John 1:12; 3:16).
Satan deceived our first parents by using the serpent to lie about
God (Gen. 3:1-5). He continues to lie about our loving God and uses
any means he can to lead us to doubt His love. But Jesus came to
save the world, not to condemn it. Furthermore, Satan lied to our
first parents about their destiny. He told them that they would not
die (Gen. 3:4). This was the beginning of the belief in the immortal-
ity of the soul and opened the door to such evils as spiritualism.
As we near the coming of Christ, Satan will intensify his efforts
to deceive (Rev. 12:12) and to deceive even the very elect (Matt.
24:24). Jesus' warning, "See, I have told you beforehand" (Matt.
24:25, NKJV), must be taken seriously. It is the context of the great
controversy that makes this quarter's topic so important.
"Man and woman were made in the image of God with individual-
ity, the power and freedom to think and to do. . . . When our first
parents disobeyed God . . . the image of God in them was marred and
they became subject to death. Their descendants share this fallen
nature and its consequences. They are born with weaknesses and
tendencies to evil. But God in Christ reconciled the world to Himself
and by His Spirit restores in penitent mortals the image of their
Maker."—"Fundamental Beliefs, 7." Quoted in
Seventh-day Adventists
Believe . . . A Biblical Exposition of 27 Fundamental Doctrines,
edited under the direction of the Ministerial Association of the
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (Hagerstown, Md.:
Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988), p. 78.
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